Book lettering table



L.. T. cRlsMoN 2,347,886

BOOK LETTERING TABLE Filed June l0, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 igJ.

May 2, 1944.

May 2., 1944 L. T. cRlsMoN I 2,347,886

BOOK LETTERING TABLE LED 7' [H5/77270 JNVENTOR.

Patented May 2, 1944 UNITED 'STATES ffATENT* l OFFICE 2,347,886 Boon LETTERINGTABLE Leo T. Crismon, Louisville, Ky. Application June 10, 1942, Serial No. 446,514

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a book lettering table, and more particularly to a table having means whereby books of different sizes may be readily positioned for convenient lettering. v

In indexing new books, particularly in libraries, it is the practice to apply shelf marks, usually in the form of white characters, to the books on the backs thereof or so-called spines. This is the portion of the books exposed as they ordinarily stand on a shelf and the marks are for the purpose of distinguishing them readily on the library shelves. Lettering is also necessary in the case of rebound or reconditioned books. In the past it has been the practice to either hold the book with one hand and letter with the other, an awkward and tiring procedure, or to open the book and spread it face downward on a table. The latter practice is particularly objectionable in the case of new and rebound books as it is harmful to the binding.

It is a major object of my invention to provide novel means whereby a book of any size can be conveniently supported for such lettering in conjunction with a table upon which the operator may work, the book being securely supported during the lettering operation in a manner that is not harmful to the binding.

More specifically, my invention has as an obj ect, the provision of a novel table having a book supporting means combined therewith and adapted to support books of different sizes with their surfaces to be lettered substantially flush or slightly above the top of the table whereby the book surface to be lettered forms an extension of the upper surface of the table and is convenient to an operator working at the table.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan of the right end of the table of Figure 3, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the table, the lower portions of the legs thereof being omitted.

FigureeS is a side elevation of the table.

My invention contemplates the provision of a table of convenient height at which an operator may work standing or sitting, whichever is preferred. One edge of the table is substantially flush with book supporting means depending substantially vertically therefrom, the latter means including a vertically adjustable and substantially horizontal shelf combined with adjustable means to hold books of different sizes in an upright position thereon. By means of the adjustment, any book, regardless of size, can be supported on the shelf with its surface to be lettered, usually the spine or back of the book, in a marking level or plane' substantially flush with or slightly above the table top. yWith a book so supported,`an operator can work thereon with a minimum 1 of fatigue and in a position to secure the best lettering.

Referring to the drawings, a table having a top l with legs 2 and 3 preferably mounted on rollers or'glides is shown, the top of the table in the illustrated embodiment being about 16" x 23"l The legs are connected by conventional cross braces ll. Legs 2 are connected with the table top at a point spaced inwardly fromjthe edge of the top while legs 3 are connected to the top in a Way such that their outer surfaces lie in a' substantially vertical plane that is substantially flush with edge la of the table as shown in Figures l and 3. The inner opposed faces of legs 3 are formed with recesses or grooves 3a to receive and guide a backboard 5c forming a part of a vertically adjustable shelf 5. A substantially horizontal shelf member 5 is secured to backboard 5c by angle brackets 5b in a position whereby the upper surface of the shelf is below the upper edge of the backboard to form a vertical surface 5d, the face of which is substantially in the same vertical plane as the outer surfaces of legs 3 and table edge la. Section 5d serves as a support for one side of a book supported on shelf 5, the outer side of the book being supported by a book holder or clamp 6 which has a vertical member 6a arranged to engage a side of the book, a horizontally extending section Gb arranged to frictionally contact the upper surface of shelf 5 and a leg 6c, extending through a slot 5a in shelf 5, and having a lock member or lug 6d thereon. This type of clamp is capable of ready horizontal adjustment in slot 5a to accommodate books of different; sizes and is capable of firmly holding a book in position against surface la of the table top and vertical surface 5d of the backboard or the ush surfaces of legs 3 if the book be of large size. For small books, only one clamp 6 need be used. For large books, two such clamps may be required. In the table illustrated, a book up to 5" in thickness can be accommodated.

To accomplish vertical adjustment of backboard 5c and shelf 5 so as to bring the spine of the book to be lettered up to the marking level, which is substantially flush or slightly above table top l, racks 1, either of metal or wood, with rounded recesses or notches 'la at intervals of about 4/=," are fastened to legs 3. Metal guides 9 in backboard 5c are provided to carry a metal rod 8 of a size to nt Within recesses la. Rod 8 has an extension I0 welded or similarly fastened to its center and extending through a hole 5e to a point beneath shelf 5. A knob Ib is secured to extension I whereby the extension can be pushed inwardly or to the left as viewed in Figure 3 to move rod 8 to the left and out of the recesses 1a in which it may be engaged.A This permits vertical adjustmentI of the shelf to another point at which knob l 0b can be released whereupon rod 8 engages the adjacent recesses 'la by reason of spring lawhich .ismounted about extension I0 in a manner to react between the backboard :and knob Ib.

In the table shown, the adjustment of backboard 5c is such that shelf 5 may be adjusted from 16 to 31/2 inches from table top I. v

In operation, if it be assumed that the back or spine of a book is to be lettered, the book is placed in the holding space between the backboard and clamp with its open or leaf edge on shelf 5 and one side against surface 5d so that the `back of the book is in a horizontal ',plane, .parallel tothe plane -of table top l. Rod 8 is "then released to vpermit; vertical adjustment'of shelf 5 until the back of the book is substantially flush with or slightly above table top l. At the proper position, rod 8 is permitted lto engage lthe adjacent recesses 'la in rack :1. Clamp Bris then ad-justed as necessary against the remaining .side of the on one side of which books may be held for book marking purposes with their spines facing upwardly within a marking level adjacent the top edge of the table, comprising: vertical guide means; a book holding assembly composed of a vertically arranged backboard, a horizontally ar- 'backboard'to vary the horizontal thickness of said space and thus accommodate books of different thicknesses and to clamp and release books in said space.; 4and means fs'lidably mounting the assembly on the guide means for manual movement upwardly toward and downwardly away from the marking levelto vary the heightbetween 'the bot- 'tom of the Vbook space andthe -marking level and Ythus-enable the spines of books of different widths to be adjusted Ito lthe marking level.

2. The holder of yclaim 1 wherein: the guide means presents rapair of vertically-arranged.horizontally-spaced guide grooves in opposite relation; the assembly is slidably mounted by slidably mounting opposite ends kof the vvbackb'oard in opposite .guide grooves; and manually operable means are vprovided .for .releasably securing the assembly to the guide means lat selectedpoints in its range of vertical movement.

LEO T. CRISMON. 

